Understanding When Depression Strikes

Updated on April 20, 2012

Understanding Depression

Understanding depression can help both family members and those who may be suffering through the illness. There are many types of depression that people may suffer from but there are causes and reasons why some people may suffer from depression while others may only become saddened or feel a sense of loss within a normal range of emotions.

With those who are not subject to depression, the actions of those who are inflicted can often seem irrational, scary or even silly to some extent depending on the phase the person may be entering. Understanding depression, the types, the symptoms, and the treatment options, can greatly help a family and support group keep everything together with the least amount of stress possible for those involved.

In Canada alone, one in four people have a degree of depression that can be serious enough to undergo treatment during some time in their life. A person could seem perfectly fine for years and then endure some seriously stressful situations in which they find they cannot recover. While sadness and grief may be normal reactions to these stresses with time being able to heal our minds and souls, those who suffer from depression may not have control over their emotions without help and these stressors can just end up spiraling them down into a darker place.

Those who do suffer from depressive illnesses will become like a different person. They may lose interest in food, sex, or even wanting to get out of bed at all. If they do not start getting some form of treatment, these symptoms could stay for months on end or even years.

There are several types of depression. The three major types are known as major depressive disorder, depressive neurosis or better known as dysthymia, and bipolar disorder. And while some of these illnesses may project similar symptoms at times, they all need their own treatment for the best recovery.

Some of the factors involved for the cause of depression are partly due to hereditary influences, environment, and abnormal ranges of chemicals in the brain. Knowing what you are working with, you can learn how to change the things within your control to help as much as possible. For example, knowing that children, women and the elderly are more pre-disposed to depressive disorders can allow you to keep an eye out for any signs of depression before a case can worsen. Suicide has been known to occur in 15% of those diagnosed from suffering from depression. Understanding depression, the causes and the ways in which you can help can enable you to protect your loved ones from a drastic ending.

There are many books, articles and support groups for understanding depression better if you think you or a loved one may be suffering from one of these depressive disorders. While living with depression may be harder than a normally well rounded life, it doesn't mean that it is impossible with the right treatment and support beside you. If you have any concern, please be sure to talk to your doctor and see if he or she can run some tests to help determine the best course of action.

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